B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner.Photograph by: File photo by Sam Leung, Canwest News ServiceCity residents with bears in their yards will get nothing more than an answering service from conservation officers on long weekends, claims the NDP.

MLA Shane Simpson, the party's environmental critic, says a leaked memo shows Liberal cutbacks to the conservation service will affect the public.

"There is concern that front-line officers may not be able to do their jobs," Simpson said.

"It put lies to Gordon Campbell's claims that he is standing up for the environment."